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HomeMy WebLinkAbout051591 *PLEASE REVIEW FOR MEETING OF 5/08/91* PARKS ADVISORY 7:00-9:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY COMMUNITY ROOM - CITY 1. Call to order. 2. Minutes from meeting of 04/17/91 3. Staff Reports A. Director of Parks and Recreation 4. New Business A. Discussion of Subcommittee findings for "MEETING-IN-THE-PARK" 1. Present flyer to be distributed 2. Discuss format for meetings 3. Discuss time frame for program 4. Make recommendation to City Council 5. Old Business A. Distribute TREE CITY USA items to Parks Advisory Committee members 6. Set next meeting date. A. Regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, June 12th. However, staff would suggest a joint meeting with the City Council on Monday, June 17th. Have a picnic at Memorial Park at 5:00 P.M. followed by a park tour, and have everyone back to City Hall by 7:15 P.M. for the Council meeting. 7. Adjourn the meeting. **PLEASE---CALL TO CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE!!** 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372 Ph. (612) 447-4230 Fax (612) 447.4245 PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 17, 1991 The April 17, 1991 Parks Advisory Committee Meeting was called to order at 7:12 P.M. by Chairman, Doug Berens. Those present were Kathe Abrams, Tony Anderson, Mike Babcock, Ron Ceminsky, Doug Berens, Bill Hanson, Pat Heaney, Art Schoot, Dan Wehrs, Bill Mangan, Director of Parks & Recreation and Dave Unmacht, city Manager. Kathy smith was not present. The Minutes from March 27, 1991 on the Conceptual completed yet but will be reviewed at the Plan are not next meeting. There was some discussion about the County Road 18 Bridge to Shakopee/Prior Lake. The mayor made a presentation to the Met Council regarding the access to the County Road 18 Bridge from Shakopee and Prior Lake. Bill Mangan indicated that Monday, April 22nd is the Arbor Day celebration at Five Hawks and Westwood Schools whereby the city donated trees to each of the schools for the students to plant. The Mayor will read an Arbor Day Proclamation at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 22nd at Westwood and at 1:30 p.m. at Five Hawks. Bill also indicated that we are now taking applications for summer help. Dave Unmacht made a presentation on the "Adopt-A-Park" program. A brochure was distributed containing information on this program which Dave picked up in Fort Worth, Texas when he was there for a conference last Fall. He felt this program could be applicable for Prior Lake. Dave indicated that he wanted to introduce the idea, stimulate interest, and generate interest and ideas among the Parks Advisory Committee members. Dave felt we should establish inter-community standards within Scott County, Dakota County, Burnsville, Lakeville, etc. - not just Prior Lake. He indicated that we need to seek innovative solutions to help solve community problems. And, finally to personally develop support from his presentation. The two part strategy involves: 1) People and 2) Taxes. 1. People: a) Opportunities for people to associate with one another within their neighborhoods, as we are neighborhood oriented (ie. Willows, Boudins, Martinson Island, etc.) b) Pride in our neighborhoods; c) Maintenance Improvements. The staff in the Parks Department has not grown much within the last ten years but the Parks System has grown to over 350 acres, thus many demands on maintenance. We will not have the opportunity to add a lot of staff people in the next few years; the money is not there nor the priorities. This is an opportunity for neighbors to take care of their own park area; d) Recognition from the Parks Advisory Committee, a committee of peers, friends in the 4629 Dakota St. SE.. Prior Lake. i\linnesota ,)~372 ! Ph \61214474230 Fax (612) 447-424~ neighborhood, the City council and the community at large to be involved in this; an opportunity for people to take responsibility for the neighborhood and be recognized; and e) Ownership; opportunit~ to turn to the people and ask for their help what, as a communlty member, can they do about certain problems; take ownership in their community; a leadership position. 2. Taxes: a) This can give us a reduction on expenditures; Presently, we have a parks maintenance budget of $45,000 (operating costs) for maintenance and repair of parks. This could be an opportunity to help improve the nei9hborhood parks; thus freeing up the Parks staff. Or, an opportunlty to put some money into the Trail System or into Lakefront Park. Ideas and Thoughts: There is a range of possibilities such as having a Hotdog Cookout within the neighborhood; The City would supply the grills; the Parks Advisory Committee would be present; perhaps Council Members and invite the neighbors. Perhaps to have a clean up day in the Spring and in the Fall. The extreme side of this would be in reference to the "Adopt a Park" brochure whereby the neighbors would sign an agreement to take responsibility to do X etc. The range is wide open from a hotdog cookout to a responsibility contract. The second idea shows leadership from the Parks Advisory Committee. The PAC has the idea; the staff has the concept but will need the Parks Advisory Committee to put it together. The authorship and initiative should come from the Parks Advisory Committee. Time Frame: April 17, 1991 - Present to Parks Advisory Committee April 19, 1991 - Bill Mangan & Dave Unmacht will discuss this with the city Council at the week end retreat. May 8, 1991 - Parks Advisory Committee action May 20, 1991 - Council action The thought behind this is to focus it, pick target dates, details put together, marketing and outreach to the community through newsletters, newspaper, radio stations, etc. This is geared towards May to include this years sprin9/summer season. We need to set a time frame if we want to do lt so it doesn't slip by in our busy schedules. with this, Dave Unmacht finished his presentation and discussion followed. Dan Wehrs thought it was a great idea but felt there would only be a few people to do it; and felt, people would complain to City Hall that they are paying the high taxes to have this done. _,_______. ,--..,.", .....,__._"._,..,~"._~_~.,..__,~_~,~...._~~__,._._._...~ _,.___~"~,___.~"_~".___.d_.... ..__....___...____~~____ Perha~s we should include the kids: approach it as a family activlty. Bill Mangan indicated that the Parks Advisory Committee is a "Grassroots" committee; representatives from various neighborhoods of the community (Communication with the residents of the different neighborhoods & equal representation). This project could benefit the Parks staff with the PAC committee bein9 the focal point in terms of advertising and promoting this withln the neighborhoods and establish an annual Clean-up day: provide food and beverage which will really draw people. Parks Advisory representation would be needed at the different parks which would let the peo~le know who their representative from the PAC committee is. Indlcated that he was very excited about this pr09ram and would like to see something develop from the Parks Advlsory Committee level; even on a small scale at this time until we can get more detail and organized for the following year. He then asked for the feelings from the Committee members. Ron Ceminsky felt that if a Parks Advisory Committee member was serving as a representative for this program, the people would view this program more seriously; reoccurrence of events will help also. Bill Mangan suggested that maybe on one week there would be four neighborhood meetings and one or two Parks Advisory Committee members would host the Hotdog & pop picnic and explain the concept. Distribute flyers throughout the neighborhood notifying residents of this event. Mike Babcock indicated that he doesn't have an interest in Raspberry Park to be a representative. He really didn't think there would be any interest from his neighborhood in this project. He would have more of an interest in Memorial Park because he uses that park. Kathe Abrams suggested that perhaps we should incorporate a neighborhood safety program with this; gather the neighbors together and discuss a number of issues. Being this our Centennial year, this could be an opportunity to do something in the parks; perhaps even competition between the different parks and have a vote (give recognition to the nicest looking park) . Have a survey between the kids to see their needs. How can we make our parks look better; perhaps with some perennials. Education and communication with the residents of the neighborhoods. Felt there are a lot of advantages. Dan Wehrs indicated that he could foresee some problems with the competitive aspect of this. Bill Hansen indicated that if there was a list of various things that each park needed done provided by the ~ity: then the residents probably would volunteer to mow, haul ln blocks or bricks or whatever is needed; but then the City would have to maintain them and would this be effective. Bill Mangan indicated that the Parks Dept. does an inventory each Spring (a clean-up and general maintenance list with some improvements to be done such as adding one new piece of playground equipment each year, if possible.) The neighborhoods would have to approach the City or the Committee with their list of improvements for approval; especially if barbecue pits, etc. were an item they wanted done. Art Schoot was wondering if using kids from the baseball teams to do the clean up would work; thus raising some money for the school. Kathe Abrams indicated that they have used this approach before and it does not work out. Kathe Abrams was interested in knowing what kind of money could be spent in each park. Bill Mangan felt it was too early to talk about a dollar commitment, as not sure how far this program will go and initially we want to start with a clean up day which will be minimal dollars. Future capital improvements still won't be a lot of money; for instance, a flat of petunias (144 plants) would cost $12.00. Perhaps additional tree plantings could be done. The city providing the trees and the neighborhoods providing the labor to plant the trees. The cost could be approximately $15.00 per tree. Kathe Abrams was wondering if the City would be open to incorporating this with a neighborhood crime watch? Bill Mangan felt this would be part of the communication. Kathe Abrams felt that if once a year there would be a meeting in the neighborhood where the park was cleaned up, had a police officer make a presentation on crime watch and discuss what has happened in the park due to vandalism, etc. Dave Unmacht indicated that a fire truck would be a real draw for kids. Art Schoot indicated that the key would be to have people show up. Dan Wehrs felt Kathe Abrams idea was 900d. He felt that before going into a full fledged plan, some lnterest could be stimulated in each neighborhood through flyers stating the intention of the event; ie. hotdog, pop, clean-up, games for the kids, etc. and lasting a couple of hours. Kathe Abrams suggested we offer a tour of the parks at the end of the season; thus to get people to start connecting with our parks available. "'"_.,..__^-_____"_._,,_,_,......._~________""'_.__~._._.._______o__~,.",__,_",,,,,,,,".._ __,,,_.d_."__ ' _._,.._.--"--"_._-,~---_.,'~.~--------~.-"--_.-. Doug Berens felt that a lot of good ideas have been stated but that the Committee needs to start with the clean up project and offer the people some opportunity and get their ideas as to where the interest lies. Should start small and see where it goes for a year. Kathe Abrams felt there has to be more offered than just a clean up ~roject. People are interested in crime and fire. The survey indlcated this. Bill indicated that the police and fire departments would be more than happy to accommodate our needs to meet with the public. Kathe Abrams suggested that a police officer could even talk about bike safety and one of the PAC members could make a presentation on the bike trails system. Bill indicated that we have the Tiny Tot and Summer Playground program during the summer in many of the neighborhood parks; another way to perhaps distribute flyers about the neighborhood park event. Dan Wehrs suggested the flyer be entitled "A Meeting in the Park" . Art suggested we need a committee to organize this. Bill Mangan felt a subcommittee would be beneficial; bring the paperwork back to the meeting in May. Bill Hansen felt that a lot of time has been spent talking, surveying, discussing & re-discussing and would like to see something accomplished. Dave Unmacht indicated we needed a time frame; perhaps May 20th to August 1st. Bill Hansen said that he didn't want to see the spring clean up done in August. Dave Unmacht indicated that maybe it would work May 20th thru June 20th but we have 13 parks so cannot be done in one week. Kathe Abrams felt this was not a good time with graduations and weddings, sport activities, etc. Felt July & August might work better. Bill Hansen felt this type of meeting should be held in January. Time to plan for the spring and Summer. Bill Mangan said that perhaps this year this wouldn't be a park clean up project but rather a neighborhood park informational meeting and gear towards the "Adopt A Park" program next year starting to organize in January with a clean up day in April. -'---"'--'~~--'-'-'---""."'_._-~'""-~""~-'-""'--'---"'-"-'---'-'~-------"-^'~''''~-'--'-''-~- _~__~.,.,....._.._~_,,,_..~_.._k_.;._,,,,,.~."'''''_'''''_''~~'..~".,..__.."..--.'__..._,_..___~._____.__.,,~__"~'._~"____"---." Dave Unmacht felt that we need to generate some interest in the "Adopt A Park" program this year with some clean-up involved; otherwise people will lose the enthusiasm. Pat Heaney suggested giving the kids a bag with Prior Lake on it to be used to pick up garbage; a beginning of pride. Dan Wehrs was wondering what the best way to approach getting people to do a little clean up. Bill Man9an said we need to get the people there by some draw; food, flre truck, etc. and once there we explain our procedure and ask people to take 15 minutes and see how much garbage they can pick up, and then listen to the talk on crime watch or whatever. That way they're not working for two hours; just getting a taste of it. Bill Hansen indicated that there will need to be some flexibility between the different parks; some areas will not need as much clean up as others. Need a picture as to what is needed to be done in each park. Doug Berens asked for a 3-4 member committee for the "Adopt A Park" program. It was the general concensus of the PAC committee to rename the program "Meeting in the Park" for now, and let the committee make a final decision as to what the name should be. Some discussion followed pertaining to what the committee should work with. Pat Heaney suggested to keep it simple. Dan Wehrs suggested we have some type of heading for the flyer, have a test park, market the concept through a picnic and games for the kids, talk about neighborhood safety vandalism, bike safety, etc., and a fire truck. Doug Berens suggested we get the input from the neighbors - what they want to see done. The committee will consist of Kathe Abrams, and Tony Anderson. The committee will meet 22nd and/or April 29th and present a plan Committee on the May 8, 1991 meeting. Bill Mangan reviewed the "Tree City USA" designation for 1990. He will be passing out some commemorative items at the next meeting. He was not sure if The City would get this designation for 1991 as the per capital has been doubled from $1.00 to $2.00 to be spent on forestry and $25,000 has not been budgeted for this year; but, perhaps with labor, trees & watering, etc. he thought we could come close. Pat Heaney, Dan Wehrs the week of April to the Parks Advisory Bill highlighted what was presented to the city Council on Monday, April 15th on the Conceptual Trail Plan. Some changes have been made after being reviewed by the city Engineering Dept. 150th Street is designated as a state aid municipal hi9hway and by having state aid designation we qualify for state ald funding to improve bike trails, etc. along 150th Street; therefore, it was suggested by City Engineer, Larry Anderson, that rather than going up Green Oaks Trail, we should start the trail loop at 150th & Hwy. 13 - loop around 150th, come up Fish Point Road (another state aid highway) and back to Highway 13. All these trails could be eli9ible for state aid funding. Candy Cove Trail is another state ald funded road but Larry Anderson did not feel this was necessary because of the Fish Point Road and county Road 39. Carriage Hill Road will be another state aid funded road and this trail would go along the realignment of that state aid highway. Northwood Road will be scheduled for widening and reconstruction and we could get some state aid funding for this area also. This was taken to the Council for the authorization of the feasibility study. The feasibility study would include Watzl's Point and the entrance which would include the entire Red Oaks neighborhood. The only link that was not included was the one along Main but this will be put into the study but wasn't included on the map at this time. The feasibility study and the report to the city Council stated that the top priority for trail construction is the loop from the High School/Middle School, along County Road 44 to Highway 13 and then County Rd. 39 from County Road 44 and south to Highway 13. The second priority, because of the construction time table of County Rd 44, is County Rd 39 (Franklin Trail) and the access from Erie Avenue up to and including Lake Front Park. This was approved by the Council on Monday, April 15, 1991 and by June 15, 1991 the Engineering Department should have the feasibility report ready. The feasibility study will include walking the areas, and along County Road 39 may include some easement acquisition, and in Lakefront Park will include the bridge to connect over the pond, the cost of lighting the loop sectlon, cost estimates for grading, lighting and bituminous blacktop and sub-base. After receiving the cost estimates for the above, the committee can proceed with how much can be done, what will be done and how it will be funded. Bill Mangan reported that the Soccer Association has split the cost of the above ground irrigation system at Lakefront Park. He also indicated that there are 1250 kids involved in the P.L.A.Y. baseball/softball program this season. Old Business: By-laws. Bill Mangan stated that, according to the by-laws, if you miss more than two consecutive meetings, you can be removed from the Committee, and if the Committee wanted this enforced, a letter would have to come from Bill Man9an or Dave Unmacht and co-signed by the current Chairman. Some dlScussion followed regarding the attendance and if another night of the week would be better. It was agreed by the committee members present to leave everything as it is. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8, 1991 at 7:00 P.M. Bill Mangan Director of Parks & Recreation Nancy McGill Recording secretary